In todays Democrat & Chronicle there was an article about how more and more people are “returning to the land” by growing their own fruits and vegetables. Who could blame them? With all the e coli being found in tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, peanuts, etc, you really have to wonder what is going on with our agriculture.

I grow in my yard, raspberries, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers and several different types of lettuce. I get a kind of personal satisfaction watching these fruits and vegetables grow. I feel safe eating them as I do not use any kind of chemicals on them. What I do not grow in my yard I like to purchase from the roadside stands of the local farmers or at the Victor Farmers Market on Wednesdays. I would rather purchase locally rather than buying produce from the store that ships in their food.

I am not in agreement with our President giving billions of dollars to bail out the banks and other businesses. I am not saying that they shouldn’t get any money, but what about us taxpayers?

If the government wants the economy to pick up why not give taxpayers some money too? With all those billions floating about I think they should give each taxpayer at least $50,000 apiece. Now that would really get the economy going! With that kind of money people could pay off some of their debts like credit cards and that would really help the banks in getting some of their money back so they wouldn’t need so much government money. If people were behind on their mortages this would help them get caught up and homes would stop getting foreclosed on. The people who weren’t behind on bills would be out buying cars and that would help the automakers out too. Money like that in the hands of taxpayers would I’m sure be spent on buying new homes and fixing up existing ones, thus helping our economy even more. People would be shopping, going out to eat etc. Doesn’t this make more sense to give the money to the people who pay taxes to help keep this country going?

Well the little groundhog or woodchuck as I like to call them saw his shadow this week so it’s six more weeks of winter. But what exactly is that supposed to mean? No spring until mid-March? Where we live we are lucky we see any sign of spring until mid-April! It is a cute legend, but for us in New York State it really doesn’t have much meaning.

Terryn Maybeck is affiliated with Junior League of Rochester and Partners in Education. She has earned the Victor Citizen of the Year Award, initiated art programs and numerous fundraisers for the Victor community. Currently, she is a Reflections Program visual art judge.

"Hello, I am one of your neighbors in Victor and I live with my husband Steve, my teens Anders and Margo, and my collection of pets. I moved from the City of Rochester to the Village of Victor 13 years ago. Villages are like small cities. The houses are closer together, so neighbors get closer. People walk by my house and exchange greetings. There is always someone around when you need them.

I loved our house when we drove in the driveway- even before we toured the house- and I fell in love with the Village of Victor. After college, I volunteered in my community and I’ve never stopped- even when I had a baby on my hip. I learned so much and met so many Victor residents over the years just getting out there and pitching in. Volunteers are my favorite people- they are always kind and can always find the time to help in their busy schedules. A community cannot sustain itself without volunteers.

I formerly wrote a freelance column for the Victor Post. My business “Wild Nelly” sells my original Steampunk Jewelry and Wet Felting Designs. Please contact me about any thoughts, ideas or information you would like to share with me."